The Geological Society of America Visitor Guide Welcome to the Geological Society of America The Geological Society of America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the geosciences. The Society was founded in New York in 1888. GSA is the first enduring society for the geosciences in the United States. In 1968, GSA headquarters offices moved from New York to Boulder, Colorado, and are now housed in a one-of-a-kind building at 3300 Penrose Place. The GSA headquar- ters building was constructed in 1972 to serve as a center for Society operations, programs, and activities. At that time, it was also determined that it should serve as a display gallery for the many rock and mineral specimens and other geologic works of art, natural and manufactured, that have been given to the Society since its founding. GSA is an expanding global membership society with more than 25,000 mem- bers in 103 countries. Thirty percent of its members are students. The Society’s pri- mary activities are organizing scientific meetings and conferences and publishing scientific literature. Other activities include disbursing research grants, operating an employment matching and interview service, honoring outstanding scientific contributors with medals and awards, assisting teachers in geoscience education, and fostering public awareness of geoscience issues. Visitors are always welcome at GSA, and we encourage you to tour the build- ing and its grounds so that you, too, may appreciate the beauty of these objects and also catch a glimpse of the GSA headquarters staff at work. This booklet has been prepared to lead you on a self-guided tour of the build- ing. Specimens and other art objects are grouped by floor and a detailed descrip- tion of each item is provided. The Society is deeply indebted to all those friends at GSA who have donated objects for display. Their thoughtfulness and generosity make it possible for all who appreciate the beauty of nature to enjoy these treasures. Again, welcome to GSA, and enjoy your tour. John W. Hess, Ph.D. Executive Director Photo by Benjamin F. Smith Imaging. © 2013 The Geological Society of America, Inc. All rights reserved. All materials subject to this copyright and included in this volume may be photo- copied for the non commercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement. Published by the Geological Society of America, Inc. 3300 Penrose Place, P.O. Box 9140, Boulder, Colorado 80301-9140, USA Printed in the USA. Revised and updated in 2013 by the Geological Society of America. Book design by Heather L. Sutphin. Photography by Chris Brown, Eric Christensen, and Heather L. Sutphin unless otherwise stated. GSA gratefully acknowledges the earlier work of Barb EchoHawk in the cata- loging and written descriptions of GSA’s specimen collection. The Society also acknowledges Prof. James S. Aber, of the Earth Science Department of Emporia State University, for information about Richard A.F. Penrose Jr. from Aber’s web- site, http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/histgeol/penrose/penrose.htm. Contents Preface ........................................................v Our Mission ..................................................vii Introduction to the Geological Society of America ....................1 A Bit of Our 125-Year History ......................................2 A Note about Headquarters Architecture ............................3 Nature’s Processes: A Brief Lesson in Geology .......................4 Nature: The Original Artist ........................................5 Exhibits ■ Outdoor................................................. 9 ■ First Floor . 15 ■ Garden Level ............................................ 19 ■ Second Floor–West Wing . 37 ■ Second Floor–East Wing ................................... 38 ■ Third Floor .............................................. 45 Bibliography ..................................................53 Index of Specimens ............................................55 Preface After many years of borrowing, owning, and renting offices in New York and then westward in Boulder, Colorado, the Geological Society of America finally moved into its own headquarters building in the autumn of 1972. Its street ad- dress, 3300 Penrose Place, was no accident; the staff arranged with the city to name the street in honor of the Society’s benefactor, Richard A.F. Penrose, Jr. Thanks to a generous endowment from Penrose, carefully tended by succes- sive investment committees, to an able and cooperative architect and builder, and to the vision of many people on the GSA Council and staff, the headquarters build- ing is not only functional but pleasing to the eye. Penrose’s memory is kept alive, both through the building itself, and through the many pieces of his personal memorabilia—his rocking chair, his magnificent globe, and part of his outstand- ing library, which is rich in books on early explorations—housed in the building. Though it was built more than forty years ago, the headquarters building bucks tradition with its unusual and spacious design and exhibits the grace and symme- try of Earth’s materials. The many people associated with its planning were highly concerned with the view, the landscaping, and the ease and comfort of the staff. We hope the rocks, minerals, and colors that decorate our building will remind staff members and visitors how rich in color, form, and texture are the natural features of our Earth’s crust. v Our Mission To advance geoscience research and discovery, service to society, stewardship of Earth, and the geosciences profession. vii Introduction to the Geological Society of America In its 125th anniversary year, the Geological Society of America (GSA) has grown along with the times, while staying true to its mission as a steward of the geosciences. Founded in 1888 by some of the great geologists of the day, including James Hall, James Dwight Dana, and Alexander Winchell, the Society relocated from New York to Boulder, Colorado, in 1968, and in 1972, moved across town into what has become a one-of-a-kind, solar-paneled building. In keeping with GSA’s mission to be a leader in advancing the geosciences, the Society offers its 25,000 members a variety of publications, which include top-ranked journals Geology, GSA Bulletin, Geosphere, Lithosphere, Environmental & Engineering Geoscience, and the science and news pub- lication GSA Today. It also publishes four well-respected books series: Field Guides, Special Papers, Memoirs, and Reviews in Engineering Geology. Back in 1890, GSA Bulletin was the first GSA journal to make it into the hands of geologists. Now, readers access the latest developments in geology with online ahead-of-print articles and use their smartphones to view papers via mobile-optimized sites. Always progressive and forward-thinking, GSA continuously looks for ways to promote the geosciences and to provide services to its world- wide membership via social networks, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and smartphone apps. Investing in the future of the geosciences is a key component of GSA’s mission as it celebrates its 125th year. Through its Education and Outreach and Employment Service programs, the Society offers numerous resources for diverse groups within the geosciences, including students, job seek- ers looking to advance in geoscience or geoscience-related career paths, geoscience educators, and members of the public. GSA members have access to employment assistance and mentor programs and are also encouraged to apply for field program awards and travel grants, and enroll in short courses. Through www.geosociety.org/educate, K–12 educators may download lesson plans and programming ideas. GSA, along with many partners and sponsors, fuels interest in geologic features with EarthCache™. This program allows anyone with a GPS unit to locate and study these features around the world. As GSA celebrates 125 years of service to the worldwide community of geoscientists, whether in academia, industry, policy, or for students in preparation for one of these careers, its annual meet- ing remains a touchstone for the geoscience community at large. Seventeen specialty divisions, Photo courtesy of Tim Ray, Vantage Point Imagery. GETTING STARTED 1 which any GSA member may join, convene at this meeting, where geologists from around the world present their latest research and discoveries in the field and in the lab. GSA also has seven regional sections, including the recently formed International Section plus six in North America: Cordilleran, Rocky Mountain, North-Central, South-Central, Northeastern, and Southeastern. GSA is also dedicated to advancing the interests of the geosciences in public policy and main- tains an office in Washington, D.C., where it monitors developments relating to the earth sciences and its funding on Capitol Hill. Finally, in realizing the importance of continuing to fund promotion of and investment in the geosciences, the GSA Foundation, established in 1980, receives and administers contributions in support of GSA’s mission. As an independent, tax-exempt organization, the Foundation accepts gifts by check or credit card, wire transfers, stock, and by bequests to the Society’s programs. Recently completing a $10 million capital campaign, the Foundation also contributes to GSA’s research grants program, and supplies matching student travel grants for each of GSA’s Sections. Over forty years since moving from New York to Boulder, the Society’s employees are as dedi- cated as ever to working on behalf